Iraqi Shiite militias warn of "unlimited" retaliation if U.S. attacks Iraq or Iran

BAGHDAD, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- An umbrella group of Iraqi Shi'ite militias warned the United States on Monday of "unlimited" retaliation if it attacks Iraq or Iran.

The Iraqi Resistance Coordination Committee (IRCC), representing the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, stated it would not be constrained by any restrictions if U.S. forces target Iraqi personnel or use Iraqi airspace to strike Iran.

This threat comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran and its allies pledging retaliation for the recent killings of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut, both occurring in late July.

In response to the rising threat, Washington said it is committed to defending Israel in the event of a major conflict and is sending "more troops and military hardware to the Middle East."

The Iraqi resistance has been actively opposing the U.S. military presence in Iraq and has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. targets, including a recent rocket strike on the Ayn al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, which houses U.S. troops.